Frequently Asked Questions

• Per 19 CFR, 141.86
• The port of entry to which the merchandise is destined
• The time when, the place where, and the person by whom and the person to whom the merchandise is sold or agreed to be sold
• A detailed description of the merchandise, including the name by which each item is known, the grade or quantity, and the marks, numbers, and symbols under which sold by the seller or manufacturer to the trade in the country of exportation, together with the marks and numbers of the packages in which the merchandise is packed;
• The quantities in the weights and measures of the country or place from which the merchandise is shipped, or in the weights and measures of the United States;
• The purchase price of each item in the currency of the purchase, if the merchandise is shipped in pursuance of a purchase or an agreement to purchase;
• If the merchandise is shipped otherwise than in pursuance of a purchase or an agreement to purchase, the value for each item, in the currency in which the transactions are usually made, or in the absence of such value, the price in such currency that the manufacturer, seller, shipper, or owner would have received, or was willing to receive, for such merchandise if sold in the ordinary course of trade and in the usual wholesale quantities in the country of exportation;
• The kind of currency, whether gold, silver, or paper
• All charges upon the merchandise itemized by name and amount, including freight, insurance, commission, cases, containers, coverings, and cost of packing; and if not included above, all charges, costs and expenses incurred in bringing the merchandise from alongside the carrier at the port of entry, The cost of packing, cases, containers, and inland freight to the port or exportation need not be itemized by amount if included in the invoice price, and so identified. Where the required information does not appear on the invoice as originally prepared, it shall be shown on an attachment to the invoice;
• All rebates, drawbacks, and bounties, separately itemized, allowed upon the exportation of the merchandise;
• The country of origin of the merchandise;and,
• All goods or services furnished for the production of the merchandise (e.g., assists such as dies, molds, tools, engineering work) not included in the invoice price. However, goods or services furnished in the United States are excluded. Annual reports for goods and services, when approved by the port director, will be accepted as proof that the goods or services are provided.
• Per 19 CFR 142.6 the appropriate eight-digit subheading of the HTSUS.

All importers are required to have a bond on file with Customs.

A Customs Bond is an insurance policy that guarantees payment to U.S. Customs and Border Protection of all duties and taxes due on an import shipment.

An importer can choose to purchase a Single entry bond or a Continuous bond. A Continuous Bond (also known as an Annual Bond) is almost always the most cost effective option, especially because a Continuous Bond also fulfills an importer’s obligations to have an Importer Security Filing (ISF) bond on file.

A Continuous bond covers all entries for an entire year. So the more entries per year, the more cost effective the Continuous bond becomes. A continuous bond is also easier to administer, because an importer only needs to purchase one bond each year, and make sure it is renewed every year.

The customs territory of the United States includes only the States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico

Certified checks, money order or company checks. No personal checks or credit cards accepted.